Pretoria: Women in blue must take a stand and be at the forefront of ensuring that cases involving vulnerable groups and missing persons receive priority attention at police stations countrywide. This in a bid to reduce the on-going killing and or attacks emanating from Gender-Based Violence.

These are the marching orders from National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole during a three-day work session attended by female senior management officers in the SAPS at the levels of major general and lieutenant general.

The session culminated in the establishment of a Task Team to draft a five-year strategy to further empower and develop women police officers at all levels in the organisation to inter alia improve service delivery and reduce incidents of crime involving vulnerable groups.

Under the leadership of two Deputy National Commissioners, Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya (Human Resource Management) and Lieutenant General Francinah Vuma (Asset and Legal Management), various speakers took to the podium to address a number of issues at hand affecting women in the broader context.

The second day of the gathering consisted of five break-away sessions tasked to address:

Management and leadership in the SAPS

Empowerment and capacitation of women

Gender-Based Violence and harassment of women

How women’s morale can be lifted in the SAPS

Opportunities and challenges women face in the operational environments.

These breakaway sessions provided an opportunity for the women in blue to take stock and reflect on the positive role they play in society.

On the last day, the commissions provided feedback on deliberations and plans on how to forge ahead on dealing with issues of women in policing and challenges they face in the line of duty. The senior female officers were told to take the lead in ensuring that women are uplifted, not only in the workplace but in their communities.

In conclusion, the Deputy National Commission: Human Resource Management, Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, said: “Our five-year plan will link with existing strategic plans and provide solutions to crime challenges, defining the role of women police officials”. She also vowed to enhance liaison with counterparts in the region and through international women policing associations.